The Montreal Children's Hospital Newsletter

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Not only does April bring its beautiful spring weather but it also brings its share of little outdoor worries: allergies, scratches and scrapes, falls, poison ivy, insect bites, etc. In short, little ailments that need a little bit of attention—but ones that still require you know a thing or two about them. So to help you brush up, this issue has plenty of useful tips on how to take care of these 'boo-boos'.

April is also Cancer Awareness month in Canada. Unfortunately, cancer affects a number of children every year. We invite you to read 'Our heroes' for a mother's touching story about her daughter's battle with leukemia.


			Martine's parents wrote a heartfelt account of her stay on the MCH oncology unit, 8D, while she was battling leukemia. Martine has since passed away, but her parents took the time to thank the staff for their devotion and their courage. Read more about their courageous daughter and the staff who cared for her. [+]

Cuts and scrapes

Slivers and splinters

Hay fever

It's itchy! Beware of poison ivy

Insect bites


			Finally, Spring has sprung—something I fully and completely embrace. The whole shoveling, scraping, layering, freezing, slipping, cold thing about winter is always nice to say good-bye to. And I don't know about your kids, but mine are more than ready to literally break free. Frolicking, running, singing, dancing everywhere and anywhere, including the backyard, the sidewalk and the freakin' street! Sigh. [+]

MCGILL UNIVERSITY HEALTH CENTRE UNVEILS PLANS AND BREAKS GROUND AT GLEN CAMPUS

The start of construction at the Glen Campus of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) has begun. The Premier of Quebec, Jean Charest, accompanied by the President of the Treasury Board and Minister responsible for Governmental Administration, Monique Gagnon-Tremblay, the Minister of Health and Social Affairs, Dr. Yves Bolduc gave the project its official launch… [+]

THE TRAUMA WEBSITE OF THE MONTREAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WINS PRETIGIOUS AWARD FROM L'OFFICE QUÉBÉCOIS DE LA LANGUE FRANÇAISE

Hospital's Trauma and Injury Prevention Website wins a prix Mérites du français. [+]

THANKS TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS

Each year 460 people volunteer at The Montreal Children's Hospital giving a total of nearly 24,000 hours each year. Thank you to the volunteers who assist us and make The Montreal Children's Hospital the best it can be. [+]


	Do you have a question of a general nature that you'd like to ask our specialist? If your question is selected, the answer will be published in the next edition of the newsletter. Ask a question [+]

	If we get our daughter's ears pierced, is there a risk that she'll get hepatitis B or C? R : This is an excellent question and raises some interesting issues. I will broaden your question to include not only simple ear piercing but also body art in general. It is clear that body piercings and tattoos have spread more widely in our culture and are more accepted by the mainstream. [+]


	Any ideas to get kids moving? Answer the question [+] The best response will be published in the next issue!

	How do you deal with the "terrible two's"? R : When my little baby grew into a little boy who was showing his anger all the time, I was in tears. But I quickly started to feel better after reading what other parents had to say. I realized that we weren't the only ones going through this, and that our instinctive reactions were often the right ones. Stay calm, give him choices, encourage good behaviour, show him that you love him, stay calm… Mélanie, Anjou


	Your child only needs to see the dentist for the first time at age two or three. False: Specialists from the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) say that the best time for the first visit to the dentist is six months after your child's first teeth appear. [+]

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